Someone asked me ''What's not to love about this man?'' ... his absence (film, series....of course š). . . olso on fcbk paul gross-addict https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090946972014
In the ā70s, when actor Paul Gross was naught but a barne (as Shakespeare would say), his mother took him to see King Lear at the Stratford Festival. Afterward, Grossās heart swelled, his eyes widened and he proclaimed, āI want whatever that is.ā He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of hunky RCMP constable Benton Fraser in the TV comedy-drama Due South, but heās also played Hamlet and King Lear at Stratford. And this season, heās back as Vladimir in Samuel Beckettās Waiting for Godot. When heās not onstage delivering existential monologues, he takes advantage of the regionās bounty. Here, a tour of his favourite spots.
āI have a terrierāor terrorĀer, as I like to sayāwho always needs to go out. Heās indefatigable. A few years ago, I started a habit of running my lines while dragging him around the picturesque T.āJ. Dolan Trail that winds around Lake Victoria and through a graveyard. At the time, I was growing my hair and beard out for King Lear, and I looked insane, yelling at a dog in iambic pentameter. Hikers would stare at me. They still do, even though the lines for Godot are more decipherable. I donāt stop to do much explaining.ā Entrance located off John St. N.
What actor Paul Gross loves about Stratford
Fanfare Books
āIām so glad people have continued supporting independent bookstores even in the age of Amazonātheyāre too special to lose. Fanfare Books is almost 60 years old. It has creaky wooden floors, and the atmosphere is wonderful. No one bothers you while youāre browsing, but the staff are quick with a recommendation if you ask for one. Itās the kind of place where I could end up sitting in an armchair and leafing through a whole book. They have lots of plays and books on the craft of acting, but I read more fiction. I recently picked up Virginia Evansās The Correspondent on a staff memberās suggestion and loved it.ā 92 Ontario St., Stratford, fanfarebooks.ca
Canadian Tire
āCanadian Tire is the worldās all-time greatest store. It has some sort of ESP that knows how to make me compulsively buy stuff. I go in for two things and walk out having spent $200. I used to use a little handheld basket, but now I know myself: I need the big cart. My dad had a one-piece snowsuit from there that he called his bunny suit. I inherited it, and I still wear it every winter. Iām sad the fake money is disappearing, but thatās okay. Iām learning to accept change.ā 1093āÆOntario St., Stratford, canadiantire.ca
Gallery Stratford
āA short walk away from the Festival Theatre, Gallery Stratford always has a great little show on. Itās well curated, and whether itās exhibiting paintings, drawings or sculptures, Iām all in. Iām indiscriminateāI like everything. When I visit, I like to take some time to enjoy the grounds and the building. The gallery is housed in the cityās old waterworks from the 1880s. Itās gorgeous when all the gardens get going in the spring and everything is in bloom.ā 54āÆRomeo St. S., Stratford, gallerystratford.on.ca
Mr. Gross. wrapping up his visit to the National Press Club in October '04 to promote H2O, then just about to air for the first time on CBC. (October 13, 2004)
Paul recording Wait for Rain's narration (February 25, 2011)
A warming planet has made water scarce, food a rarity, and wearing plants like jewelry fashionable. James, a hapless office worker, becomes obsessed with nurturing his plant in order to obtain the respect of his peers and risks everything to not Wait for Rain. Wait for Rain is a futuristic comedy about James the pitiful office worker who must sacrifice himself to get the attention of the girl he desires. WAIT FOR RAIN is the winner of the National Screen Institute Drama Prize, the Bravo!Fact, the National Film Board FAP, and the festival winner at the Okanagan and Comic Con Film Festivals.
The Provocation Ideas Festival is set to bring a slew of Canadian talent to Stratford, though what theyāll be performing will be outside their usual repertoire.
On June 22, Provocation Ideas will present Illuminating Passion, a high-energy benefit evening at Revival House. That night, acclaimed artists and community voices will show off their unexpected creative talents, offering audiences a rare glimpse into their lives beyond the spotlight.Ā
Set to hit the stage that night are Paul Gross, David Keeley, Marcus Nance, Laura Condlin, Ann Baggley, Lucinda Jones and several others. The event will be hosted by multi-Gemini Award-winning actress Sheila McCarthy and local wedding officiant Chris Blake.
āThrough live performances that defy expectations, audiences will experience artists who, through choice or circumstance, have developed alternative talents beyond their mainstay vocations,ā festival officials said in a media release.
Along with the performance, this fundraising evening will feature a live auction of one-of-a-kind experiences, including Stratford cultural packages, and offerings from local businesses and artists. Proceeds from the night will help fund future Provocation Ideas Festival programming.
āThis is an evening about artistic risk and discovery,ā said the producer of Illuminating Passion, Don Shipley.Ā
āWeāre inviting performers, and audiences, into a space where the unexpected can happen. Itās about revealing the creative impulses that often remain hidden, and celebrating the courage it takes to share them,ā Shipley added.
Illuminating Passion is about the joy of creative reinvention, said the festivalās founding director, Mark Rosenfeld.
āItās also a vital fundraiser that helps us continue to present bold, accessible programming, creating a public space where ideas, art and community come together in meaningful ways,ā Rosenfeld added.
The performances and auction run from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m, with doors opening at 4:30 p.m. Dinner will be available for purchase from the Revival House starting at 5 p.m. Tickets for the event are $75 and can be purchased online at zeffy.com.
Founded by Rosenfeld in 2022, the Provocation Ideas Festival runs annually in Stratford and Toronto, with each year embracing a different theme. The 2026 theme, City of Dreamers, is asking people to examine how they see the future of the Festival City.
paul gross and the mysterious but happy green blobs he met one afternoon
(mysterious but happy green blobs = me and my friend)
YALL I WENT TO SEE WAITING FOR GODOT WITH A FRIEND AND WE MET PG AT THE STAGE DOOR AND IT WAS AMAZING AND I CRIED AFTERWARDS BC I WAS SO HAPPY
i got a pic of the stage before the show started and bought a magnet at intermission :)
and i have a bunch more stuff to share!!! (about the play and about meeting pg and about seeing some due south locations around toronto) please forgive me for the amount of rambling that is about to occur i am just so excited, the trip was awesome and i am so grateful i had the opportunity :)
Paul Gross talks Hyena Road, Oktoberfest on Edmonton AM (October 2, 2015)
Canadian filmmaker, actor and beer drinker Paul Gross joined Edmonton AM to talk about his new film Hyena Road, which is making its Edmonton debut at the EIFF on Friday.
Canadian filmmaker, actor and beer drinker Paul Gross joined Edmonton AM to talk about his new film Hyena Road, which is making its Edmonton
Molly Atkinsonās production of Waiting for Godot grows up from the Festival Theatreās grand stage with remarkable confidence and clarity. Beckettās famous opening line, āNothing to be done,ā hangs over the entire production, yet Atkinson (StratFestās Hedda Gabler) finds surprising warmth inside that apparent hopelessness.
(May 30 - Jul 31 2026. Runtime: 2 hours and 32 minutes, including one 20-minute intermission)
